Surgeon refuses to treat ‘controversial’ Akhtar

Karachi, March 30 (IANS) A renowned Pakistani knee specialist has refused to treat Shoaib Akhtar in a bid to keep his ‘reputation intact’, a leading Pakistani newspaper Jang reported Monday. The newspaper quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official on the condition of anonymity claiming the doctor told Shoaib that “I’m regarded among the best surgeons in the country and cannot put my reputation at stake by treating you because your international career is filled with controversies”.

Shoaib, 33, was asked to undergo a knee surgery by PCB’s medical experts. The fast bowler has floating debris in his knee and needs an operation to recover from the injury.

However, Shoaib said earlier this month that he has recovered from the injury without undergoing any operation as doctors have taken out the floating bones from his injured knee with the help of injections.

The fast bowler also expressed his wish to play for Pakistan in the one-day series against Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from April 22-May 7.

However, the national team management is not convinced and wants Shoaib to undergo extensive fitness tests before taking a final decision on his inclusion in the 15-man squad for the series that will include five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game.